Bud and Mary_Duncan Mackie. PhD Director of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics

Today, I’m joined by Dr. Duncan Mackie, Director of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics at Bud & Mary's—an MSO with operations in Colorado, Michigan, Iowa, and Missouri.

Under Dr. Mackie’s leadership, Bud & Mary’s became the first cannabis company and multi-state operator to obtain a DEA research license—marking a major milestone for the industry.

With a PhD in pharmacology and deep expertise in drug discovery, molecular biology, and G-protein-coupled receptor pharmacology, Dr. Mackie is advancing our understanding of cannabinoids and their interaction with the endocannabinoid system. His work is helping to identify novel drug targets and explore the therapeutic potential of cannabis for a range of medical conditions.

Bud & Mary’s also applies this scientific insight to their product formulations, integrating cutting-edge research into what’s available on dispensary shelves.

In our conversation, we explore their approach to product development, the regulatory hurdles they face, and their long-term vision.

https://www.budmary.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-mackie-ph-d-3bb1892b/

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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Today, we're welcoming the team behind Vitabudz — a NYC legacy street brand making the leap into the legal cannabis market. Founded by brothers Jullian and Rich Murray, Vitabudz has teamed up with veteran cultivator Aaron Field to bring their passion for top-shelf, regeneratively grown cannabis to the New York marketplace.

Their story is rooted in experience — with Jullian, Rich, and Aaron honing their cultivation skills in Colorado and California before returning home to New York, ready to take on the state's fast-growing legal industry. We dive into Aaron's sustainable farming practices, the Murray brothers' journey from the streets of Brooklyn to building a recognized brand, and their strategy for marketing their flower and edibles in this new, competitive landscape.

Let's find out how Vitabudz plans to stand out and thrive in New York's evolving cannabis scene.

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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Today's guest is Dr. Avery Gilbert, a Sensory Scientist with roots in the luxury perfume industry. He's worked with major global brands and now brings his expertise to the cannabis space, helping companies elevate their products through sensory research and R&D.

In this episode, we explore what truly defines a luxury product—beyond just price or packaging. From wine to perfume, luxury goods share common threads: craftsmanship, culture, technology, media, retail experience, and the art of blending. Cannabis brands can reach luxury status if done the right way.

We'll break down these elements to understand whether cannabis can not only claim luxury status—but earn it.

https://www.synesthetics.com/

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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Josh Krane is heading cultivation and manufacturing operations for one of NJ's top brands, Garden Greens. He brought his expertise from California, where he started in the medical market and transitioned into rec. He and his partners launched Field Extracts, which won multiple awards, the Emerald Cup, and Masters of Rosin, and then sold the company to GlassHouse Farms in 2019. He also ran 4 Front Ventures California operations for few years before setting his sights on the East coast.

Join us as Josh talks about how he is running one of NJ's top cultivation facilities and brands, and how he is navigating NJs growing market.

https://ggcann.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuakrane/

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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Today, we're talking about sensory science and its crucial role in R&D product development. While this methodology has been widely used for decades in the hops, beer, food, beverage, and perfume industries, the cannabis industry is just beginning to tap into its potential.

Our guest today is Marshall Ligare, Ph.D., former Research Scientist and Product Development Lead at John I. Haas, one of the world's leading hops suppliers. The beer and hops industry has long relied on sensory science to craft unique and consistent flavor profiles, and Marshall brings a wealth of knowledge on how these techniques can be applied to cannabis. Marshall is currently the Director of Research Development at Vuca Hemp Farms.

Join us as we explore what cannabis can learn from the beer industry's deep expertise in sensory-driven innovation and how these insights can elevate product development in the cannabis industry.

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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Today, we're discussing cannabis extraction with industry expert Murphy Murri. She has been working in extraction since the early days of legalization in Colorado and has built a reputation as a go-to expert in both solventless and BHO techniques. She helps extraction teams optimize their operations, develop new products, and write SOPs to ensure efficiency and quality. In this episode, we discuss how extractors can fine-tune their processes to preserve important compounds that are easily destroyed, as well as why more brands should apply sensory science to their R&D process for next-level product development.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/murphymurri/

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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As the beverage industry heats up, convenience store operators are debating about embracing this fast emerging category despite its legal gray area.

Meet Melissa VonderHaar, she is a nationally recognized expert in the convenience store channel . She regularly writes for the sector, covering stories specifically on cannabis, tobacco, vapor, and alcohol categories, and she speaks on the subject at numerous industry events. She is also Head of Industry Relations for iSEE Store Innovations. Melissa shares important insights on why convenience stores will massively benefit from selling THC drinks, and it may be the tipping point for mass distribution and acceptance for this category.

https://www.iseeinnovation.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissavonderhaar

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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Today, we’re joined by Ian Dyche, Head of Operations at MFNY, a top-selling brand in the NY market with its line of live resin products. A seasoned cultivator with 20 years of experience, Ian honed his craft in California before returning to his home state of New York bringing extensive expertise in large-scale cultivation and processing, specializing in indoor and high-tech, light-assisted greenhouse environments.

Ian and his teams have earned top honors at the Emerald Cup, Santa Cruz Cup, Cannabis Cup, Hitman’s Best of New York, Long Island Cannabis Cup, New York Rosin Competition, and more.

Join us as we dive into Ian’s work at MFNY, exploring the innovations and strategies that keep them at the forefront of New York’s cannabis scene.

https://www.mfny.co/

#cultivation #NewYork #cannabis #extraction #MFNY #farming

The Mary Jane Society is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a journalist, freelance writer, and marketing and PR specialist in the cannabis industry. Get in touch to discuss your business strategy or explore working together at pam@TheMaryJaneSociety.com.

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